Simple Christmas celebrations in Ameliasburgh

Visitors to Ameliasburgh enjoyed Christmas in the Village activities at the museum, crafts at the library and the hall. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, participants were welcomed to board the Carter’s horse-drawn wagon for a ride between the various activities.

At the library, Gisa Iannaci helped children create a fanciful Christmas tree, or homemade wrapping paper.
The afternoon opened with a crowd ready to enjoy several stations of Christmas fun at the Ameliasburgh Hall.

Cookies, treats and hot chocolate were served up by Sandy Latchford and other members of the Hall Working Group, the main hosts of the weekend.

Keirra shows the Christmas swag she created with the help of Laurie Storen, of the Ameliasburgh Garden Club.

Adam McCormack works on a Christmas ornament using festive decorations and guidance provided by the Ameliasburgh Garden Club members.

Cookie decorating work looked creative and yummy.

Visitors were welcomed to the Settler’s Log Cabin on the grounds of the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum. A rough-hewn shelter was usually created from trees on their own land to see them through the winter.

Inside, visitors received treats and learned about how a settler’s family would be living in the home. Children learned helping mom could include hikes down to the lake to retrieve the day’s supply of water.

Fresh cider was warmed in the home’s open hearth. Popcorn was also served.

The settler’s Christmas tree was simple. Often, just one gift was placed below for each person. Dad’s would likely be a newly knitted pair of socks. The children might receive simple wooden toys or spinning tops. Ornaments were made with flour and cinnamon and also worked to filter the smoky air from the fireplace.